Curtis Library: Art event geared to veterans

On Nov. 3, veterans from numerous past wars will gather at the John Curtis Free Library to discuss the wars, compare experiences and look over war-related art.

Mark Burridge

On Nov. 3, veterans from numerous past wars will gather at the John Curtis Free Library to discuss the wars, compare experiences and look over war-related art.

“We’re not going to have a podium. We’re going to arrange chairs in a circle,” said David Setterland, who is organizing the event.

Setterland will provide the artwork, which he obtained either through his own collection or by donation. Among the works will be 15 about the early railroads in America. He said there are also photos of airplanes and naval ships. Setterland hopes the veterans will feel free to look over the art and open up about their time in the military.

“I want to open it up to any and all veterans,” he said. “They might want to talk about things, good or bad.”

Setterland said he was in the National Guard and trained in Louisiana although he is not personally a veteran. However, he said he thinks the discussion could be of help the veterans.

“It’s good to let the veterans talk back and forth with each other,” he said. “A lot of veterans don’t want to talk about their experiences, but it’s good for them, too.”

Setterland said sometimes veterans come home and have no problem telling people about their time in action while others come home and don’t ever want to discuss their time in war.

“This is a good outlet for any veteran to come and talk about what happened,” he said.

Setterland said he plans on creating descriptions of each painting so the veterans can see how it ties into military service. Although the railroad doesn’t immediately call the military to mind, Setterland said it certainly has a lot to do with it. Some of the other paintings are a little more obvious, including one of Paul Tibbets in the Red Gremlin. Tibbets also flew the Enola Gay, which dropped the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima. Another painting features WWI flier “The Red Baron.”

“The artwork is worth the visit,” he said. “But hearing the veterans talk back and forth will be priceless.”

The event is free and will have 100 seats available. Any veteran is welcome to attend and discuss his or her service.